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Winemaker's Notes

Of all the Bellavista wines, Brut Cuvée best represents the characteristic qualities of Franciacorta. Its balance derives from the blending of at least thirty selections. The addition of some older wines, with their distinctive perfumes and flavours, confers consistency to the taste, plus roundness and finesse. The grapes used are 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero. The mousse is white, lively and persistent, the bubbles small and long-lasting. The colour is light yellow with hints of green. The perfume is full, inviting, rich in ripe fruits, chlorophyll and vanilla; these perfumes are fully reflected in the taste, and are echoed in the aftertaste.

Critical Acclaim

RP91

The Wine Advocate - "The NV Brut Cuvee is simply beautiful. White peaches, jasmine, minerals, ash and grapefruit are some of the aromas and flavors that come together in this taut, focused Franciacorta. This is a superb example of Italy’s best reasonably priced methode Champenoise wine. I loved it. This is Lot L2290-10229000049, disgorged 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. "

WE90

Wine Enthusiast - "Bellavista's Cuvée Brut is a wine that delivers
consistent and delicious results year after year. It's a sure
bet because of its delicately toasted notes that are enhanced
by plenty of ripe fruit and citrus. It also shows
extreme finesse and elegance, with a bright and cheerful
personality."

Bellavista Winery

This remarkable operation, masterminded by owner Vittorio Moretti and winemaker Mattia Vezzola (Gambero Rosso Winemaker of the Year 2008), combines grandeur and star quality with familiarity and simplicity. The estate’s larger-than-life facilities, 3,280 feet of underground cellars, impressive contemporary architecture (helipad included), and 1,250 surrounding acres of Franciacorta soil – 462 acres of which are now under vine – leave you awestruck. Moretti founded the estate in 1977, and the first bottle of Franciacorta was released in 1979. The winery philosophy: "Every objective we reach is merely the starting point for a higher objective." In over a quarter of a century, the style of Bellavista has become a benchmark to the DOCG. Its vineyards now constitute 8% of the entire appellation, in extraordinarily favorable positions. Franciacorta’s limestone/clayey soil, richly endowed with the same elements as Champagne, is enhanced by such quality details as in-depth genetic research, organic-only fertilization, phased out harvests, parcelled out crops (over eighty selections, separately fermented in oak/stainless steel), Marmonnier and Coquard presses, up to six years’ bottle age in the cellars, refermentation directly in the bottle for the larger format sparkling wines, remuage by hand for all sparkling wines, etc... Both still and sparkling wines are from prime hillside vineyards, clonally selected material and densely planted stock. The past couple of years have seen yet another phase in the estate’s constant crescendo: increasing élevage, on average from 36 to 48 months, so as to achieve the greatest possible quality consistency and personality.
View all Bellavista Wines

About Other Italian

Lombardy

Home of the fashion capital of Milan, Lombardy is not quite Italy's capital of wine. It is, however, home to a few wines worth noting. Most vineyards are far north, far south or far east. First, in the south, the sparkling wine Franciacorta – this sparkling wine is made in the methode champagnoise and the better wineries produce wine that can hold it's own in a quality bubbly line up. Lugana, a pleasant, white wine made from Trebbiano, comes from Lombardy as well. Lean reds from the Nebbiolo grape are made further up in the Valtelliana region, near the Alps.

Emilia-Romagna

The region of Emilia-Romagna is better known for its food rather than wine. Most of the wine coming from this region is the red, slightly-fizzy Lambrusco. It's high in acid and best drunk young. The white coming out of the region is mostly Albana di Romagna. Made from the albana grape, it's typically dry and pleasant, although not found often.

Umbria

Talk about being in the center of things… the land-locked region of Umbria is smack dab in the middle of the country. The most familiar white wine of the region is Orvieto, named for the medieval Etruscan town. It's a Trebbiano-based wine with good fruit flavors and high acid. Originally a sweet wine, most Orvietos are now dry. Red wine from Umbria includes Torgiano and Montefalco - Torgiano made from the grapes of Chianti, while Montefalco uses the native sagrantino grape, making big and bold reds.

About Italy

A little ditty about Italy...

This country has about as many wines as its had governments. With 20 different regions, hundreds of DOCs and even more indigenous varieties, the amount of wine made in Italy is mind-boggling. Most of the juice, however, remains in the country for thirsty Italians. Wine is food in Italy and its rare that a meal is consumed without a glass
of vino. That said, it's not common to find many folks drinking wine without food either. In turn, it's a match, and a mighty good one at that. In fact, it's safe to say that Italian wine is a foodie wine – one that goes on the table for a myraid of meals.

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Crisp

Light to medium bodied wines that are high in acid and light to medium fruit. Typically no oak.